The latest news from UK universities is that the overall number of non-UK students applying to UK universities has reduced since the announcement of the decision of the UK to leave the European Union. A number of factors may be behind the reduction. Among them are:

• Reports that the UK government is considering cutting international student numbers by nearly half in an effort to meet the immigration targets set by prime minister Theresa May. Whether this will happen remains to be seen.
• Working visa restrictions: previously, a post-study work scheme allowed non-EU nationals who graduated in the UK to stay on and work for two years. New rules mean that a working visa will only be issued to non-EU nationals who prove that they have a graduate-level job set up with a certain salary level. EU nationals currently do not need a visa to work in the UK. While in theory this could change, it is hoped that the UK will reach some form of compromise on the issue of freedom of movement for EU nationals.
• Tuition fee levels: currently, students classified as “Home/EU” pay the same fees, and those classified as “Overseas” pay more. There is concern that in the future, EU students may no longer pay the same fees as Home students.

In terms of fees, UK universities have announced that for EU students starting studies in the 2017/18 academic year, fees will remain the same as before the Brexit vote, regardless of when the UK actually leaves the EU. In the longer term, it is possible that EU students will have to pay the higher fee rates that currently apply to those from outside the EU (“Overseas”). At the moment, Home/EU students pay 9,000 GBP/year, and Overseas students pay more – fees start at around 14,000 GBP for classroom-based degrees, and are higher for laboratory-based or clinical degrees.

Interestingly, at FIS we have not yet seen a reduction in the number of UCAS applications. In fact, for Sept 2017 entry, we have seen a small increase (45% of students across both streams applied to the UK last year, compared to 47% this year).
For parents and students worried about the uncertainty around the future of UK fees and work visas, it is important to note that there are many other anglophone study options outside the UK. Every year FIS students leave us to take up degrees at internationally respected universities in:

• Europe outside UK/France: several universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy and elsewhere offer English-taught degrees at low fee levels for EU nationals. For instance, in the Netherlands, The University of Amsterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam and Maastricht University offer high-quality degrees with fees of around 1900 euros/year for EU nationals. A useful search engine for European degrees: http://www.eunicas.co.uk/
• Canada: IB students tend to opt for the likes of UBC and the University of Toronto, whereas French Bac student tend to apply to Quebec-based universities like McGill and Concordia, where there are lower fees for French nationals.
• USA: the home of over 4,000 colleges and universities, including some of the best-reputed, best-resourced and most selective universities in the world. One of the most expensive options.
• Hong Kong: HKU, CUHK and HKUST are globally renowned and offer English-taught degrees with fees (for HK residents) of 42,000 HKD/year.
• Australia: this is not a cheap option but universities such as The Universities of Sydney, Melbourne and New South Wales offer innovative, interactive learning environments and very attractive facilities.
• France: the number of degrees offered in English is increasing, and there are certainly options worth considering: http://www.usa.campusfrance.org/en/page/programs-taught-english-2%20. Sciences Po, for instance, offers internationally-renowned, highly selective English-language social science degrees. For EU nationals, Sciences Po fees are on a sliding scale from 0 – 10,000 euros/year, according to family income.

Reminder: please see our Orientation website (http://orientation.fis.hk/ ) for country-specific degree information, application procedures and timelines, and the university events calendar.